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Hamlin Twp. considers adding tax on workers

HAZEL HURST – The Hamlin Township Board of Supervisors is considering the addition of a tax on persons who work at jobs in the township.The Local Services Tax (LST)—formerly known as the Emergency Municipal Services (EMS) tax—is allowed under state law and is assessed by several area municipalities.The maximum tax permitted by law is $52 a year-- $1 per week.Those earning $12,000 or less a year can apply for a full tax refund.The proposed tax would not affect retired persons living in the township.No estimate has been given on the amount of tax the proposed LST would generate for Hamlin Township. However, it appears the supervisors are planning to earmark the LST revenue to benefit the Hamlin Township Volunteer Fire Department.“I support the idea,” Supervisor Guy Raught said at a recent meeting of the supervisors. “I think we all do.”Randy Himes, chief of the fire department based in Hazel Hurst, called for the supervisors to implement the LST.“We need the help,” Himes said. “If people want to keep their fire department, they’ve got to pay for it.”In other business at the 97-minute meeting at the township building in Hazel Hurst, the supervisors:*Approved a joint agreement with Mt. Jewett and Sergeant Township for an “emergency operations plan.”Himes said the adoption of the plan “makes us compliant” under emergency management regulations. He said the plan “does not change the way we operate” during times of emergencies such as storms or incidents that affect the three municipalities covered by the document.*Named Mike Mangan of Marvindale as the director of the township’s emergency management operations.See full article by purchasing the Oct. 18 edition of The Kane Republican.